Final answer:
Cyclohexane can exist in chair and boat conformations. The chair conformation is the most stable due to reduced ring strain and minimized repulsion between hydrogen atoms. The boat conformation is less stable and has increased steric repulsion. The equilibrium constant for the reaction between the boat and chair conformations can be determined based on the proportion of molecules in each conformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cyclohexane is a common cyclic structure that exists primarily in a chair conformation. In the chair conformation, all bonds are close to the tetrahedral angle of 109.5°, and all six pairs of hydrogen atoms are staggered. This conformation reduces ring strain and minimizes repulsive interactions between hydrogen atoms, making it the most stable conformation.
The boat conformation of cyclohexane is another possible conformation. In this conformation, the molecule is puckered and resembles a boat shape. However, the boat conformation is less stable than the chair conformation due to increased steric repulsion between atoms.
Based on the information provided, the tetra-substituted cyclohexane can exist in both the boat and chair conformations. The equilibrium constant for the reaction between the boat and chair conformations depends on the proportion of molecules in each conformation. Since 68.7% of the molecules are in the boat form, the equilibrium constant can be calculated based on this proportion.